With Jared Sullinger and William Buford having left the building, preseason prognosticators aren’t sure how much to make of the 2012-13 Ohio State men’s basketball team. One publication ranks the Buckeyes third nationally; another picks them 17th.

The fact that they’re ranked at all after losing the two players they did, Aaron Craft said, is testament to what Thad Matta has built in eight seasons.

“It’s a lot bigger than any individual,” the junior point guard said during the team’s media day yesterday. “Ohio State, not because of us but because of the guys who came before us, has established itself as a great basketball school.

“Coach does a great job of recruiting, brings guys in that he knows fit his system. Guys go pro, guys leave, but the expectations shouldn’t change, and that’s (the attitude) we’re going into the season with.”

Neither Craft nor anyone else, though, has a good feel for how the Buckeyes will go about meeting those expectations. They begin solving that Rubik’s Cube today, when they can practice together as a full squad for the first time.

“Anytime you lose a great player or two, which we did, guys have a tendency to think, ‘I’ll (make up) those points,’ or whatever it is,” Matta said.

“What we want these guys to understand is, this is going to be a very role-dominant team. Guys are going to have to understand what they have to do every single time they step on the floor, be it offensively or defensively. If they do that, I think the pieces of the puzzle will come together.

“There are some guys here that have been on great basketball teams in their time here, so hopefully they understand what (it takes to be) a great team. Now, the reality is you’ve got to put the pieces together every day to get better.”

By “role-dominant,” Matta means this team is not deep in players who have filled multiple roles at this level.

“We need to have a core of things we do every time we take the floor in order for this team to be successful,” he said.

With forward Deshaun Thomas the only proven scorer, Matta said how this team will generate points has been much-discussed. The plan is to do it with a long-limbed, athletic defense that could extend more on the perimeter knowing that shot-blocking sophomore Amir Williams will have its back.

“We talk a lot about running in transition and trying to get more buckets in the open court this year,” Williams said. “That’s definitely one of the focal points.”

The team’s only senior, Evan Ravenel, who will share time with Williams in the post, said that while the Buckeyes have yet to establish their identity, he is eager to start the process.

“Obviously, there’s a question mark about this team because it’s a different look,” he said. “For the past two years, we’ve been, ‘Get it inside to the best post player in America and let him go to work.’ Now we have a different team, and it’s time to show what we can do.